This is a Bittern. I’d never heard of these birds before, but they are interesting… First off, they stretch their necks upward when they’re trying to hide, because the stripes along their necks and torso appear to melt into the tall grasses, helping to disguise them.
And secondly, their bird call is deep and gurgling, almost like a glug of water down a drain. It far over the wetlands they call home, and stands out because it’s so low in register.
We have them here in Humboldt County in northern California along the Redwood Coast. This bird was requested by a patron who stopped by my art booth this last year.
Illustrated Bittern in standing water, against a blue paper background with darker gradients at the top and bottom. Surrounding the bird is a halo of light, as well as a Bokeh lighting effect in yellows and dusky greens.
Compilation of 6 photos of sketchbook pages. Top row consists of sketches of European badgers, chameleons and bittern. Bottom row consists of drawings of dik-diks, sea turtles and shoebill cranes.
Sketchbook page of 6 drawings of Bitterns in pink pen. The top of the page has the text 6/4/25 and Bittern. The top left is a drawing of a bittern standing and a heart and the word Odd. To the right is a Bittern with its neck outstretched to the right and the word Long. To the right of it is a closeup of a bird looking down at the viewer with its beak up. At the bottom left is a bittern in profile standing and looking to the right. To the right is a round bird with the word Derp. Below is a bittern standing on two branches with legs splayed and the word Splits!
Compilation of 6 photos of sketchbook pages. Top row consists of sketches of European badgers, chameleons and bittern. Bottom row consists of drawings of dik-diks, sea turtles and shoebill cranes.
Sketchbook page of 6 drawings of Bitterns in pink pen. The top of the page has the text 6/4/25 and Bittern. The top left is a drawing of a bittern standing and a heart and the word Odd. To the right is a Bittern with its neck outstretched to the right and the word Long. To the right of it is a closeup of a bird looking down at the viewer with its beak up. At the bottom left is a bittern in profile standing and looking to the right. To the right is a round bird with the word Derp. Below is a bittern standing on two branches with legs splayed and the word Splits!